SK Bioscience Enters into Partnership with Sanofi to Develop Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines
Monday, December 23, 2024
SK bioscience has strengthened its partnership with Sanofi to co-develop next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) for both paediatric and adult populations.
This move is aimed at expanding the companies' footprint in the global pneumococcal vaccine market, valued at trillions of Korean won annually.
Building on their previous collaboration, the two companies have formalised an agreement to further develop and commercialise advanced PCVs. The GBP410, a 21-valent paediatric vaccine candidate, is a key focus of this effort.
Currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials, GBP410 is the first vaccine of its kind with more than 20 serotypes being tested in infants and toddlers. This innovation is anticipated to address significant public health challenges.
The enhanced agreement includes an upfront payment of €50 million (KRW 75.5 billion) from Sanofi to SK bioscience, with additional development and commercial milestone payments outlined.
Both companies will share research and development costs equally, while Sanofi will manage global commercialisation, excluding Korea, where SK bioscience retains exclusive rights. SK bioscience will also receive royalties from international sales.
This partnership aims to broaden vaccine development efforts beyond paediatrics to include adults. PCVs are known for their efficacy in preventing pneumococcal infections and currently dominate the pneumococcal vaccine market, accounting for 94% of global revenue.
With the market expected to grow from KRW 11.9 trillion in 2024 to KRW 14.2 trillion by 2028, the initiative is strategically aligned with the companies' goals to drive innovation and growth.
The phase 3 clinical trials for GBP410 have commenced, involving over 7,700 participants aged six weeks to 17 years. These trials will assess the vaccine's immunogenicity and safety across multiple age groups and dosing schedules.
GBP410 is designed to provide broader coverage against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), a condition that causes significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in children under five. According to the World Health Organization, Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for approximately 300,000 child deaths annually, underscoring the urgent need for improved vaccines.
Phase 2 trials of GBP410, completed in 2023, demonstrated comparable immunogenicity to the established Prevnar 13 vaccine, with no serious vaccine-related adverse events. The vaccine also showed strong compatibility when co-administered with other routine childhood immunisations.
To support the anticipated production demands, SK bioscience has expanded its vaccine manufacturing capabilities through a joint investment with Sanofi. This development underscores the companies' commitment to advancing vaccine accessibility and addressing global health needs.
By leveraging their combined expertise, SK bioscience and Sanofi aim to drive innovation in vaccine development, targeting a rapidly growing market while addressing unmet healthcare needs globally.
Source: skbioscience.com
